New Believers Bible - Flipbook - Page 122
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OFF AND RUNNING
1. Think before You Speak. You demonstrate great wisdom and care when
you weigh your words (see Proverbs 16:23-24, page 554).
2. Control Your Tongue. As you learn to control your tongue, you will be able
to control other aspects of your life (see James 3:1-12, page 1128).
3. Refrain from Idle Talk. We will be held accountable for every idle word
we speak (see Matthew 12:35-37, page 852).
4. Make a Habit of Talking about the Lord. When we talk about the Lord
and his blessings with one another, God is pleased (see Malachi 3:16, page 832).
5. Keep Your Conversation Gracious. We should speak gently and sensibly
as we share our faith with others (see Colossians 4:6, page 1084).
6. Never Use Vulgar Speech. Our conversations need to reflect God’s
goodness, not the world’s coarseness (see 1 Peter 3:10, page 1134).
7. Think of Ways to Encourage, Praise, and Build Up Others. As a
Christian, you should use your speech constructively (see 1 Thessalonians
5:11, page 1090).
The people we associate with on a regular basis can either help or hinder our
spiritual growth. For that reason God has given us some invaluable advice and
strong warnings when it comes to choosing our friends. Look at the following
Scripture passages to see what to pursue and what to avoid in your relationships
with others.
1. Find a Close Christian Friend. A true Christian friend will help you get
through times of trouble and temptation (see Galatians 6:1-3, page 1060).
2. Don’t Associate with Those Who Mock God. God and his Word should
be the focus of praise—not mockery—in your friendships (see Psalm 1:1-6,
page 466).
3. Avoid Relationships That Could Cause You to Sin. Bad company corrupts good character (see 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1, page 1052).
4. Make Sure Your Friendships Honor God. Seek the friendship of those
who live as Christ intended (see 1 John 1:7, page 1142).
A common question that many new Christians have is, “Can I be a Christian
and still do . . . ?” Some questions of “Christian liberty” can be answered easily
because the Bible directly addresses these questions. For instance, if someone
